HM Sultan Brunei: Patience Needed for Faith

HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has emphasised the merits of cultivating patience in order to achieve success and prosperity according to the principles of Islam.

Delivering a titah last night in conjunction with the celebrations for Hari Raya Aidiladha 1438 Hijrah which was broadcast on Radio Television Brunei (RTB), His Majesty said, “Those with faith are not exempt from being tested by Allah the Almighty. The purpose of these afflictions is to determine the strength of our faith and endurance. If we have persevering patience, then we can overcome all obstacles and hardships, however insurmountable they may seem.”

The monarch then outlined the example of the Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), who was commanded to sacrifice his son, as a test of his obedience and submission to Allah the Almighty.

“As members of the present-day Ummah, we are fortunate to be tested by means of our religious obligations and adherence to the principles of Islamic law,” said His Majesty.

“In religious worship, for instance, we are tested by being obliged to keep up daily prayer, fasting in the month of Ramadhan and so on. In terms of Islamic law, we are tested through our freedom to choose between what is lawful (Halal) and the forbidden (Haram), including our compliance with moral and judicial laws of Allah the Almighty.

“In this way, our sense of moral responsibility and obligation is being put to the test, for these commands must be obeyed without any hesitation; failure to do so would be both unconscionable and an act of moral transgression.”

His Majesty concluded the titah by encouraging Muslims to pray for Bruneian Haj pilgrims currently performing their Haj obligations in Makkah and Madinah.

“Let us pray that Allah the Almighty may grant us with enduring patience, particularly for our country’s Haj pilgrims in the Holy Land,” said His Majesty.

“As we all know, during this period of time they will encounter many hardships and ordeals, which are also experienced by pilgrims from the rest of the world.

“By the grace of Allah the Almighty, may they be rewarded for their patience by achieving a Mabrur Haj. Amin.”

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…

BY COMMAND of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented to the transfer and appointment of the following senior officers – Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau and Solicitor General has been transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Datin Elinda binti Haji CA Mohamed, Special Senior Duties Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau.